The designs in this slideshow were created by students Esther, Hana, Hava, Mathilde, Mia, Nefaur and Roger, in the online class Principles of Visual Language: Form and Color, January–April 2017.

In Form and Color, students explore ways to create engaging and memorable two-dimensional design. Using accessible materials and simple techniques, both handmade and digital, they experiment with design principles and color theory, including: figure and ground; unity of form; contrasts (geometric & organic forms, shape, size, direction, texture); unit/super-unit/pattern; visual hierarchy, harmony, rhythm and narrative; the seven color contrasts; color illusion and color expression.

The goal of this course is for each student to develop a creative toolkit of ideas and techniques, to embrace a unique awareness of form and color, and strengthen design skills. The lectures and assignments encourage students to adopt a a disciplined, yet playful, creative process.

Form and Color is led by instructor Richard Mehl. The class is fully online and asynchronous. Students participate in weekly modules according to their own schedule. Assignments are submitted using VoiceThread, a learning platform that allows students to see the work of their classmates, and add voice or text comments. In addition to peer review, students receive weekly detailed comments from the instructor.